Hundreds of horses to be ‘left to die’ this winter

THE director of a West Cork animal rescue centre has warned of a “desperate winter ahead for horses”.

The warning from Anita Douglass, director of Skibbereen Animal Rescue, comes as a new thrift store opens to help fund the shelter.

She said the problem of abandoned horses in Ireland is critical and hundreds will be left to die this winter.

Ms Douglass, who founded the animal rescue shelter 18 years ago, has opened a second-hand store in Skibbereen to help cover growing costs at the shelter.

It is hoped the thrift shop will help offset the cost of accommodation and feed for 37 horses currently housed at the shelter, a figure that could easily double this winter, says Ms Douglass.

“The situation for horses in now critical. I am quietly panicking about how many animals will be left to starve this winter. Already, horses and foals are being dumped after fairs or left to starve in fields all over the country,” she said.

The Skibbereen shelter responds to calls from all over West Cork and is currently home to some 60 dogs, over 50 cats, 37 horses, 14 goats and a dozen donkeys.

Ms Douglass runs the centre with the help of volunteers, who are now pooling their time to cover shifts at the charity shop six days a week.

In 2009 the shelter cost just under €57,000 to run. This year, with additional animals, costs will spike.

“It’s difficult with horses because through the winter we have to house them and pay for feed, it’s expensive. The shop is a way to generate some funding, which is critical if we are going to be able to take in more horses this winter, which is inevitable, unfortunately,” she said.

“We have ponies and horses that have been left on the side of the road or at fairs, or just left to die in fields because of the price and scarcity of food,” she said.

In addition to donations of items to sell, the committee is seeking donations of bedding and food for the animals.

* www.skibbereenanimalrescue.com